Hunchha

Namaste

Yesterday there was another strike, so I walked to town, so I could work on the film. It took me an hour and a half. Sounds long, but I did 6 -10 hour trekking days... Actually, I got a ride part way with Sugandha because he had to pick someone up from the airport. Apparently it was risky, but we drove with a sign on the car that said tourist (and even better, a white person in the front seat to look official). We were going in different directions, so he dropped me after a few minutes. A bus came - let me stop here and clarify that the day before, the Maoists had announced the Banda for the following day. Banda is the word for strike, but that is a misleading translation. The drivers are not striking.... the rebels are preventing anyone from using transportation. They throw bricks at buses and burn tires if you are on the road. Back to the story, so a bus came. I got on, and we drove for about a minute. Then some guys with black arm bands stopped the bus and made us all get off. I later found out that they were Maoists... they weren't violent at all. So I walked. Good thing it was early in the morning.

I don't know why I am always talking about the strike... it is such a minor part of my life.

The other night, I watched some traditional dance. It was actually Hindu religious dancing, where they tell stories. We were coached through yoga breathing (closed eyes etc) for about 20 minutes before the dancing began. And on the dance floor was a little god (statue) with candles etc. They were performing it for her. They used masks and lots of hand gestures. It was really interesting.

I was invited to lunch with a family in the village I go to. I see them everytime I walk by, but they are not involved in any of my classes. Anyway, we were eating and I asked the mother why she did not come to the mother's group. (VSN gives classes every other week to mothers about hand washing, wound care, nutrition, etc.) I found out that they did not know about my English classes, the knitting class, the health classes... nothing. I was confused because they live next door to where the classes are held. It turns out, they had not been invited. I don't know why. I am frustrated, but also glad. If this is happening in one small village, I'm sure it is happening elsewhere. I let the VSN staff know, so we can address it.

Right now I am off to Gottathar to see my kids. We are having a "party" which will include singing Head Shoulders Knees and Toes, playing simon says and coloring. I will miss the kids the most when I go.

I'm off to walk in the heat :) I'm using an umbrella to block the sun, so I'll still be super white when I come back!